Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-Colo.) is photographed. (House Television via AP)
A group of 31 House Republicans have requested an audit into the fraud related to COVID-19 jobless benefits. In an open letter on Friday, Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.), Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas) and others called for a probe by the Labor Department’s acting Inspector General Larry Turner.
The Republicans say U.S. taxpayer dollars were given to fraudulent claims under the pretext of COVID-19 relief. This comes after independent auditors found up to $400 billion, or half of jobless relief money, was reportedly stolen by criminals.
Breaking 🚨 @RepSteel, & I led a letter with 29 of our @HouseGOP colleagues calling for an audit of the @USDOL over the widespread fraud occurring in the pandemic unemployment insurance program. We must determine how many American taxpayer dollars have been wasted.
Read more 👇 pic.twitter.com/6uOTvwXTKx
— Rep. Doug Lamborn (@RepDLamborn) July 8, 2021
Criminals steal personal information of American citizens and then use the acquired details to fraudulently file for unemployment benefits. In addition, an estimated 70 percent of the stolen benefits was taken by foreign criminals, which experts warned was a danger for national security.
Republicans said COVID-related fraud has continued on a nationwide scale and it must be stopped.
Source: One America News Network
